Incidence of swarming caterpillar pest was reported in the paddy fields of 10 blocks of Kalahandi district, according to an assessment of Agriculture department.
A total of 2095 hectors of paddy lands in the district are now infested by Swarming caterpillar, the reports said.
However citing a much higher non-official figure, Bhawanipatna, Madanpur-Rampur, Junagarh, Kesinga, Narla, Dharamgarh and Karlamunda blocks bear the brunt of pest infection.
"Mostly due to cloudy weather for a long period and flash flood, pest infection occured in paddy cultivation here in Kalahandi," a senior officer of the agriculture department said.
To combat the infection in two phases 1,000 litres of liquid pesticide (Nurocombi) and 9,500 KG of pest control dust (Chloropyriphos) had been supplied to the affected blocks by agriculture department.
"The small and marginal farmers could avail the pesticide at half rate", Deputy Director Agriculture Amereswar Mishra said.
The department has also made arrangement for further stocking of pesticides in the affected blocks, he said adding that field functionaries have been directed to assist farmers and in case of exigency taking up mass spraying in the infested areas.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors


Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share


Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor


Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements


Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app
